Bad News, But True News

It would give consumer confidence a roundabout boost if people concluded that the media are making the economy sound worse than it actually is. Unfortunately, a majority do not hold that view, finds a poll by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.

While 34 percent of its respondents said they think the media make the economy sound worse than it is, 48 percent said news coverage shows the economy "about the way it really is." And 14 percent think the media make the economy sound better than it is.

The good news is that Republicans -- the people with all the money, we're often told -- are more likely to believe press coverage of the economy is unduly gloomy. Fifty-seven percent of Republican respondents voiced that opinion, vs. 21 percent of Democrats.

It would give consumer confidence a roundabout boost if people concluded that the media are making the economy sound worse than it actually is. Unfortunately, a majority do not hold that view, finds a poll by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.

While 34 percent of its respondents said they think the media make the economy sound worse than it is, 48 percent said news coverage shows the economy "about the way it really is." And 14 percent think the media make the economy sound better than it is.

The good news is that Republicans -- the people with all the money, we're often told -- are more likely to believe press coverage of the economy is unduly gloomy. Fifty-seven percent of Republican respondents voiced that opinion, vs. 21 percent of Democrats.